Pakistan has distanced itself from the Gaza peace plan presented by former US President Donald Trump. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced on Tuesday that the plan differed from the proposals put forth by eight Muslim countries. Dar stated that Trump’s plan lacked crucial points such as a ceasefire, provisions for humanitarian aid, and an end to forced displacement, leading Pakistan to withdraw its support.
Dar emphasized that the plan was not Pakistan’s document. Notably, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had welcomed the proposal shortly before a meeting between Trump and Netanyahu at the White House. Sharif had expressed his support for Trump’s 20-point plan, which aimed to halt the Gaza war.
During a press conference at the White House on September 29, Trump announced the peace plan, claiming that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir fully supported it. However, as the details of the plan were published on the White House website, Pakistan raised concerns. Consequently, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar disassociated Pakistan from Trump’s Gaza peace plan the very next day.
The sudden change in stance raises questions about the reasons behind it. Was Pakistan too hasty in supporting Trump’s plan, or did the revisions made after Netanyahu’s intervention play a role? Another question concerns whether internal political pressure within Pakistan was a contributing factor.
The plan and its backing faced open criticism from Pakistani leaders and social media users. According to a report by the ‘Times of Israel’, Netanyahu made some changes to the agreement during his meeting with Trump. These modifications included the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza being subject to specific conditions, and the later addition of a proposal to establish a security zone.
In Islamabad on Tuesday, Deputy PM Ishaq Dar stated that the American plan was altered following Netanyahu’s involvement, and conditions were added. One of these conditions included Hamas’s surrender for Israel’s withdrawal. Dar added that two Arab countries, including Qatar, had assured that Hamas would accept the agreement.
Dar clarified, ‘I want to make it clear that Pakistan is not going to be a part of any agreement. Our policy remains the same: let Israel be as it is; we will not recognize it. Our goal is only to provide humanitarian aid, stop bloodshed, and protect the West Bank.’